Trader Joes

Picture reads the truth: "Trader Joes: Where quality and price intersect giving you top value and unique products with a FUN shopping experience."

Trader Joes is really the best.

I've always thought it and after hundreds of times shopping at my local Trader Joes, I have yet to be proven wrong. Low prices, quality products, and a fun shopping experience.

Take this Monday, April 25th experience and see why I'm a full believer in the TJ experience:

• 8:36 pm: Shopper is sent to Trader Joes with a list of very specific items. Not for personal shopping, but shopping for loved ones. All items on said list are not in shoppers routine TJ purchases.
• 8:39 pm: First item on said list: GUMMY PENGUINS. Gummi Penguins??? Yes. Gummi Penguins with bellies full of fruit juice. Shopper cruises the only likely aisle known to her. No luck. Shopper turns a corner sees one TJ customer service person walking by. Says, "Excuse me" to ask for assistance. TWO TJ people respond. Shopper did not see both! Both respond to help. All laugh for a second at the service. TJ person tells shopper where to find such penguins then walks her there. Says that he thinks there are penguins but these gummies are seasonal - so there's likely bunnies but he's pretty sure penguins are still present. Bingo! Penguins. Bunnies. And bears.
• 8:41 pm: Second on list: butter cookies. TJ person stocking the frozen items sees shopper picking up butter cookies and says, "Do you eat those plain?" Shopper surprised by conversation starter of employee. Two quickly chat about the many ways to enjoy a butter cookie.
• 8:46 pm: Third on list: trail mix. Now which trail mix is the best? Looking for the one with chocolate. Trail mix with chocolate was description given on list. Yet another TJ person suggests which ones have chocolate and which ones are the most popular. Thank you!
• 9:53 pm: Shopper proceeds to check out line. When checking out, friendly greeting from the cashier and bagger. As cashier rings up the purchase bagger says, "Someone is making a care package." "How do you know?" shopper responds. "Look at these items. They have care package written all over it." Cashier joins in, asks where care package is going. "Hawai'i," shopper responds, "no Trader Joes there." "They should build one," cashier says, "you think they would, look at our store and shirts!"

Trader Joes, always the most FUN grocery shopping experience. Nothing overly extravagant, but EVERYONE is friendly.

Remember one truth: "Trader Joes: Where quality and price intersect giving you top value and unique products with a FUN shopping experience."